How can I tell if my relay compressor is going out? Can I replace this part or do I have to have a repair person come in? Can I purchase a replacement part for the chees/meat door?

The clicking sound you hear is the overload relay trying to start the compressor. The humming sound is the compressor. Purchase a overload relay kit. Unplug the unit. Remove the bottom back cover. On the side of the compressor is a black box. Usually held on by hard wire clips. Remove the cover. Inspect for burned wires. Take note of the relay components. Remove them and lay them out in the order and orientation in which they were removed. If you see burn marks on the you have a bad relay, also the white 'V' shaped component - shake it. If it rattles it is bad. Replace with the new overload. If everything looks good. With a multi-meter measure the Ohms across the three pins on the compressor. You will get One high reading. Across the other two you will get lower readings. The two lower readings when added together must equal the high reading. If they do not you have a bad compressor. To replace a compressor is a major repair. The cost is usually $600.00-$750.00.

Rule of thumb; "If the repair cost is 1/3 or more of your initial purchase price of the unit - Buy a new unit".

That is what is sounds like but let's check. An overload relay will fail due to wear, a short or a bad compressor will knock it out. There is a rare occasion you may purchased a bad overload relay, but that is rare. The rattling of the overload relay is a good indicator it is bad, however it does not have to rattle to be bad - inspect for burn marks as well.
The clicking sound is the overload relay trying to start the compressor. There will be a pause and then click trying to start the compressor again.
Remove the overload relay component and expose the three pins on the compressor. Using a multi- meter, measure the Ohms across the three pins. You will get one high Ohm reading and two lower Ohm readings. If the two lower readings add up to the higher reading the compressor is good. Make sure the green ground wire is securely grounded. It could nock out the overload. Check for loose connections. Replacing a compressor is a major repair. The cost will exceed the purchase price. Rule of thumb; "If the cost of the repair is 1/3 or more of the purchase price of the unit, Buy new".
As a retired Sears service technician, we considered these units
as throw-a-ways due to the high cost of repair. If you had a service contract we would replace the unit rather than repair it

I believe what is happening here is a defective start relay and overload. Right now I would pull refrigerator away from the wall and unplug. Next remove the cover over the compressor feel top of the compressor and if it is not possible to keep your hand there from heat tells me the compressor is trying to start. Keep unplugged until replacing the Start Relay Kit below.Most times the compressor that begins to do these symptoms can be fixed by replacing the=>
W10189190 Relay and Overload Kit
These parts can be found by removing the rear cover near floor and then pulling the cover on the side of the compressor. Click Here=> ASD2522WRB02 Unit Parts In that photo is a compressor top left of photo. Number location 13 is the cover of the part I am talking about and location 12 in that photo is the start relay and overload. If you have trouble I will be here to assist you, Thanks Sea Breeze

W10189190 Relay and Overload Kit

Hi,

Many times a freezer and/or refrigeratordo not work right because of a dirty condenser coil...there are also many otherthings that can go wrong. If you are hearing a clicking or buzzing thencheck out the last two tips.

If your refrigerator is running but warm, then...

Check out these tips that I wrote about that... it is a great place to starttrouble shooting your unit...and something that you can do rather then callinga repair person to do a simple thing for you...

Refrigerator Condenser Coil Cleaning Refrigerator Repair

Refrigerator Troubleshooting Refrigerator Compressor

Refrigerator Compressor Start Capacitor and Start Relay
Refrigerator or Freezer not Cooling or Getting Cold

heatman101

Hi this could be a bad start relay for the compressor, but depending on the age and particular model, maytags around 4-8 years old are known for compressor failure, if thats the case better off to buy a new unit most the time unless you want to spend $500.00 on the repair. If you let me know model I can tell you if its the compressor or the relay.


Sean

The problem is either a compressor start relay or a bad compressor. You can purchase a new relay and try the repair yourself. If compressor still doesnt start it is going to be a bad compressor. If you are not comfortable trying the repair be sure to call a local appliance technitian.

Hi, You need to replace the cap with the relay and if that don't fix it the compressor is bad...
Many times a freezer and/or refrigeratordo not work right because of a dirty condenser coil...there are also many otherthings that can go wrong. If you are hearing a clicking or buzzing then check out thelast two tips.

If your refrigerator is running but warm, then...

Check out this tip that I wrote about that... it is a great place to starttrouble shooting your unit...and something that you can do rather then callinga repair person to do a simple thing for you...

Refrigerator Condenser Coil Cleaning Refrigerator Repair

Refrigerator Troubleshooting Refrigerator Compressor

Refrigerator Compressor Start Capacitor and Start Relay


heatman101

Hi,<br /> That would be a great price for fixing that...but like you found out, it is nearly the price of new....and yes the compressor is probably shot...but did you try replacing the cap and relay??? That works sometimes...<br /> <span style="FONT-FAMILY: Arial; BACKGROUND: white; COLOR: black; FONT-SIZE: 10.5pt"></span><br /> <span style="FONT-FAMILY: Arial; BACKGROUND: white; COLOR: black; FONT-SIZE: 10.5pt"><br />As the weather is getting warmer for many people their freezer and/or refrigerator do not work right because of a dirty condenser coil...there are also many other things that can go wrong. If you are hearing a clicking or buzzing then check out the last two tips.</span><br /> <span style="FONT-FAMILY: Arial; BACKGROUND: white; COLOR: black; FONT-SIZE: 10.5pt"><br />If your refrigerator is running but warm, then&hellip;</span><br /> <span style="FONT-FAMILY: Arial; BACKGROUND: white; COLOR: black; FONT-SIZE: 10.5pt"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1"> </span><br />Check out this tip that I wrote about that... it is a great place to start trouble shooting your unit...and something that you can do rather then calling a repair person to do a simple thing for you...<br /><br />Refrigerator Condenser Coil Cleaning Refrigerator Repair<br /><a href="http://www.fixya.com/support/r4024657-refrigerator_condenser_coil_cleaning" target="_blank">http://www.fixya.com/support/r4024657-refrigerator_condenser_coil_cleaning</a><br /><br />Refrigerator Troubleshooting Refrigerator Compressor<br /><a href="http://www.fixya.com/support/r3885294-refrigerator_troubleshooting" target="_blank">http://www.fixya.com/support/r3885294-refrigerator_troubleshooting</a><br /><br />Refrigerator Compressor Start Capacitor and Start Relay<br /><a href="http://www.fixya.com/support/r4023749-refrigerator_compressor_start_capacitor" target="_blank">http://www.fixya.com/support/r4023749-refrigerator_compressor_start_capacitor</a><br /><br />heatman101 <br style="mso-special-character: line-break" /><br style="mso-special-character: line-break" /></span><span style="FONT-FAMILY: Arial; COLOR: black; FONT-SIZE: 10.5pt"></span><br />

there is a little relay on the compressor more then likely that is toast. I would start by pulling it off and replacing that. Get back with me and we could go from there. The relay protects the compressor from overloading. Now do you have a fan beside the compressor?

chances are you have a bead compressor, you can try to replace the starting device (overload relay assy). mounted to side of the compressor, usually about 50-100 bucks. sometimes it works sometimes nada!! and for how long it will work no one can tell. check you manual and see when oyu purchased, most refrigs came with 5 year coverage on compressor assy, costly repair w/o warr